I'd be very interested to hear how other designers cost out a garden when preparing the plan. I've been designing gardens for nearly 9 years and am still having to use guesstimations and past projects for working out whether I'm anywhere near a client's budget. I'd love to create a document that I can refer to and use when speaking to clients that sets out how much various built elements cost.I attended a Richard Sneesby course on specification writing through the SGD some years back and he…See More
I'd be very interested to hear how other designers cost out a garden when preparing the plan. I've been designing gardens for nearly 9 years and am still having to use guesstimations and past projects for working out whether I'm anywhere near a client's budget. I'd love to create a document that I can refer to and use when speaking to clients that sets out how much various built elements cost.I attended a Richard Sneesby course on specification writing through the SGD some years back and he…See More
"One of the main problems with these makeover programmes (Love Your Garden is one of the worst I've ever seen) is that there is no sign of the design process. It's hard getting clients to pay a reasonable professional fee and these…"
"I have a few 'ready reckoners' that folks may find useful. I guess it depends a bit on where in the counrty you are - I'm based in the affluent south east. For clients that say they haven't a clue how much gardens…"
"Thanks Robert, John and Linsey for your constructive and positive comments.
I realise the importance of trust and working relationships just like with clients.... You don't mind offering advice and help if it's appreciated and valued in…"
"Hi Melissa.
if you are wanting just to get prices from us contractors then you should expect not to get much help if it seams that they are only been used as a tool. i will say however that if you build a good working relationship then thay will…"
"Hi John
Thanks for your reply. I'm familiar with Spons, but find it is not really accurate. I also have a spreadsheet that I got on a Richard Sneesby course and that is also miles out.
Melissa - in answer to your question about whether…"
"Hi Melissa and Linsey,
If I could offer some help and direction with your topic of estimating; Spons offer two books which will help you, the first is Spon's Estimating Costs Guide to small Ground Works, Landscaping and Gardening and the…"
"Thanks Linsey for your comments. Good idea to sit down with contractors.... Are they willing to do this only if likely to get the build?
Best of luck"
"Hi Melissa
No document yet - too busy! However, I priced some landscaping with one of my contractors for a golf club. We sat down together and worked everything out - right down to what he charges per cubic metre to get rid of spoil. It was a…"
"Hi Linsey
Just looking back over LJN and noticed your very useful discussion. I'm in the early stages of my business and like Joan find everything takes so long to learn and charging by the hour is not relevant for me. I suppose all garden…"
"I've done a 3-acre site, am currenty doing 1-acre. Have a 3-acre and 10-acre in the pipeline. You get your head around the scale - everything needs to be bigger not to look lost.
I love doing larger jobs, I think it's more…"
"You should always apply tanking to the back of rendered blockwork walls where they are retaining soil. If you do not the render will blow off the walls very quickly. Tanking is bituminous paint that you can paint directly onto the back…"
I'm a garden designer based in Bracknell, Berkshire working throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, London & Surrey.
I am prepared to work anywhere in the World should such an opportunity arise.
I design fabulous gardens for discerning clients who wish to have a garden that reflects their lifestyle aspirations and is as beautiful as the inside of their house.
Gardens range from small courtyards right up to several acres.
My USP is creative flair combined with excellent communication and project management skills. This enables me not only to design great outdoor spaces, but to make sure that the finished product is absolutely top quality.
Hi Lindsey, thanks for your reply, business not too bad at the moment, had a slow start to the year with all the snow and ice, but things picked up after that, what about yourself are you busy ?
Hi Lindsey - take a look at the EVents tab - everything is listed under that. Also, the event will be listed on the SGD's website shortly.
My twitter account is twitter/janinepattison
